Polyps are abnormal tissue growths that may develop in several parts of the body, most frequently within the colon and the uterus. While most polyps are benign (not harmful), some types have the potential to develop into cancerous.
Routine screenings could also be really helpful to detect polyps. When they’re found, they are frequently biopsied (removed and analyzed in a lab for the presence of cancer). Waiting on the outcomes of a biopsy may cause anxiety and stress. But even when a polyp is cancerous, a healthcare team will find a way to aid you navigate the diagnosis.
If a polyp is cancerous, treatment will often begin quickly. Continue reading to review the treatment options for cancerous polyps.
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Removed Polyp Is Cancerous: What Now?
When a polyp is removed and is discovered to be cancerous, a diagnosis of cancer has been determined. Receiving news of a cancer diagnosis will be overwhelming and should bring feelings of uncertainty and distress. However, it is important to keep in mind that this diagnosis marks the beginning of the strategy of treatment.
The healthcare team will develop a plan to treat the cancer but will often need additional imaging or blood tests before determining the precise treatment. Additional tests may include imaging studies, equivalent to computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to see if cancer is present elsewhere.
Once the sort of cancer is decided through the biopsy and the extent of the cancer is thought from imaging studies, the treatment plan will be determined. There are many potential options for treatment, which might include:
- Surgery: Cutting out the cancer, which is the first sort of treatment
- Chemotherapy: Medication that attacks rapidly-growing cells
- Radiation: High-energy particles or X-rays which might be directed on the tumor
- Immunotherapy: Treatments that work with the immune system to seek out and fight cancer
- Targeted medications: Use the characteristics of the cancer cells to seek out and inhibit or destroy them
The exact treatment plan is determined by the sort of cancer and the way far it has spread. For example, if a colon polyp is found to be cancerous but no cancer has been found outside of the polyp, it could be considered stage 1 colon cancer. In this instance, the removal of the polyp could also be all that is required for treatment.
Statistics on Polyp Removal and Cancer Risk
Many people find it helpful to achieve an understanding of colon polyp removal and cancer risk through statistics. For one, not all polyps are cancerous, but certain types, equivalent to adenomatous polyps, usually tend to be. Also, it will probably take 10 to fifteen years for a small polyp to turn into an invasive colon cancer.
How likely a polyp is to rework into cancer relies on a wide range of aspects, equivalent to:
- Size of the polyps
- Number of polyps
- Family history of colon cancer
- Location of the polyp
It’s necessary to notice that the majority polyps removed during screening procedures should not cancerous.
Uterine, or endometrial, polyps are fairly common and may occur in about 25% of individuals with a uterus. They are sometimes benign. However, it’s been estimated that as much as 12.9% of uterine polyps are cancerous. Postmenopausal people—those that have passed through menopause, the time when the menstrual cycle has stopped for 12 straight months—usually tend to have a cancerous polyp than those that are premenopausal.
Colon Polyp Characteristics
Generally, polyps are more common on the left side of the colon (the sigmoid colon and descending colon) in comparison with the proper side. Polyps on the left side usually tend to protrude from the intestinal wall, making them easier to see in a colonoscopy. When left-sided colon cancer develops, it’s more treatable with chemotherapy and targeted therapies.
Polyps on the proper side of the colon usually tend to be flat and harder to see in a colonoscopy. As a result, they is probably not detected until they’ve developed into advanced cancer that’s harder to treat.
The size of a polyp also plays a job in determining cancer risk. Larger polyps usually tend to contain cancerous cells or to turn into cancer over time. Polyps larger than 1 centimeter (cm) are generally considered to have a better risk of cancer than smaller polyps.
What Do Precancerous Polyps Mean?
Not all polyps are cancerous and even precancerous. Precancerous polyps are abnormal growths in tissue which have the potential to turn into cancer over time. If these polyps should not removed, they may likely develop into cancer in the longer term.
Finding and removing precancerous polyps during routine screenings, equivalent to colonoscopies, can significantly reduce the chance of developing cancer. By taking a proactive approach and getting routine screenings to search for polyps, people can improve their health in the long run.
Returning Polyps After Removal
Colon polyps are typically removed during a colonoscopy, a procedure through which a camera is inserted into the colon. Polyps will be removed during this procedure.
Uterine polyps are frequently removed in a procedure called a hysteroscopy, through which a camera is inserted into the uterus.
When polyps reappear after removal, it reinforces the necessity for continued monitoring and surveillance. The return of polyps can occur for a wide range of reasons, including:
- A polyp that wasn’t completely removed throughout the previous procedure
- Having a condition that causes multiple polyps to form
- Developing recent polyps
In the event of returning polyps, the healthcare provider may suggest that screening procedures or imaging studies be done more incessantly to observe for continued growth.
Living With Cancerous Polyps
The diagnosis of a cancerous polyp may bring a wide range of emotions, including fear, uncertainty, determination, and strength. The diagnosis will be upsetting, but it will probably help to grasp your options and what you’ll be able to control to live as healthy of a life as possible.
Adopting or maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a vital a part of living with cancerous polyps. Some ways to enhance health can include:
- Eating a well-balanced weight-reduction plan with whole foods and fewer processed food
- Getting regular exercise
- Managing stress
- Avoiding tobacco use
- Decreasing or eliminating alcohol use
Additionally, having regular checkups and communicating together with your healthcare provider are essential to observe your health and stopping further cancerous polyps. Based on the diagnosis, your provider will recommend a wide range of treatments to supply the very best consequence.
Support for Patients With Colon or Uterine Cancer
For a diagnosis of colon or uterine cancer, prompt medical treatment is needed, but so is support. In addition to the medical aspect of care, emotional support plays a vital role in helping deal with the challenges of living with cancer.
Online and in-person support groups allow people to share their experiences and make connections with others who’ve similar experiences.
Counseling services can even offer support to individuals with a cancer diagnosis. A counselor can offer emotional support and techniques to deal with the diagnosis and all that goes with it.
In addition, family and friends can play a vital role. They may comfort and encourage you, in addition to support you in practical ways. This includes making meals, providing transportation, or helping with tasks equivalent to house cleansing or laundry.
Healthcare professionals, including oncologists (cancer specialists), nurses, and social employees, are other resources for support. They can offer expertise and personalized take care of people on their cancer journey.
Summary
Polyps, though often benign, have the potential to develop into cancerous. Getting a diagnosis of polyps may cause worry and anxiety, but your healthcare team will plan treatment to make sure the very best possible consequence.
Treatment options vary and are personalized to the sort and extent of cancer. Early removal of precancerous polyps can prevent cancer. For those that have been diagnosed with cancer, searching for support can aid emotional health right now.
